MINUTES OF THE MARCH 16 MEETING OF THE PPC

Dean Stewart, facilitator

Next meeting will be at the United Church of Moscow; Chris LaPaglia will facilitate.

1. Last night's candlelight vigil in Moscow's Friendship Square was well-attended. Over 100 people showed up for a (mostly) silent, peaceful vigil. It was decided to continue to meet at 7:00 every night at the Square to take a stand against the administration's war efforts. Many thanks to Chris LaPaglia, the main organizer of this event!

2. We then discussed our plans for immediate action against the war when/if war is formally declared. We reached consensus to place two quarter-page ads in the Daily News and the Lewiston Tribune, ASAP. A small group will meet after this meeting to design the ad. John Morse has distributed fliers and done a mass mailing on the UI campus to publicize our proposed actions, which include a walk-out from classes or work and rallies in both Pullman and Moscow.

3. Committee reports were brief, as many members were absent due to spring break. a) The Teach-in Committee is presenting a film series, and the next two films/times are as follows:

Thursday March 20 HOW TO CONFRONT EMPIRE
This is a speech given by award-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things) in Porto Alegre Brazil on Jan. 27, 2003, PLUS CNN’s interview with Robert Fisk. Campus Christian Center at 7:00 pm.

Thursday March 27 FORUM ON IRAQ; SANCTIONS AND THE POLITICS OF WEAPONS INSPECTIONS

This 30- minute video features Scott Ritter, former chief weapons inspector for the UN in Iraq, and Dr. Simon Harak, SJ, peace activist and member of Voices in the Wilderness, a US group which defies the US-led sanctions regime by bringing in food and medicines to the Iraqi people. UI Commons Whitewater Room at 7:00 pm.

On April 4 Anna Bachmann, a speaker from Voices in the Wilderness will speak with us about the lives of ordinary Iraqis who have lived under sanctions and war for the past 12 years. Time and place TBA.

And on Thursday April 25, Joy Gordon, an international expert on economic sanctions will be here to speak with us. Time and place TBA.

b) The Fundraising Committee reported that we have approximately $800 in our account. the ads will cost $600. Gretchen Stewart requested that we purchase a large world peace flag and $100 worth of buttons from the Syracuse Cultural Workers cataloque. The group agreed to these expenses, as they are both excellent outreach tools.

4. On March 30 (and April 6?), Liz Brandt from the UI Law School who is also on the national board of the ACLU will speak with us re the Patriot Act. These meetings will be at the Lutheran Church at 7:00 pm.

and from Kathy Neary....
"The Non-violence Training Event has changed dates to March 28 and 29. This is for college and high school students. Registration forms are available at the K-House on the WSU campus and at the Campus Christian Center on the UI campus. You can also email me at kathycm@pullman.com for a form".

WORKING FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE!